Press Release 2009

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

OPIC SELECTS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GROUP AS PARTNER IN SMALL BUSINESS NETWORK

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has selected Ray Shah of Capital Management Group (CMG), CA, an investment and risk advisor with capital markets expertise in manufacturing, real estate and distribution, to serve as a loan originator for OPIC’s new alliance with the private sector, designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expanding into emerging markets overseas.

The alliance, the Enterprise Development Network (EDN), will greatly expand OPIC’s ability to provide financing to SMEs doing business in developing countries.

Through the support of financial institutions, business consultants, associations, law firms and regional investment promotion agencies, EDN is designed to enhance SMEs’ access to OPIC products and services. By empowering such private sector service providers, the network will result in more efficient, cost-effective delivery of services to American businesses.

Capital Management Group, based in Anaheim, CA, arranges financing for companies and high net-worth individuals investing in U.S. and emerging markets, with a principal focus on manufacturing, real estate and distribution businesses. It also performs risk-based auditing for clients, and provides advisory services in areas that require management expertise and strategic support to improve operational performance and facilitate access to the capital markets and developmental finance.

OPIC was established as an agency of the U.S. government in 1971. It helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging markets, complements the private sector in managing risks associated with foreign direct investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy. Because OPIC charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers.

OPIC’s political risk insurance and financing help U.S. businesses of all sizes invest in more than 150 emerging markets and developing nations worldwide. Over the agency's 38-year history, OPIC has supported $188 billion worth of investments that have helped developing countries to generate over 830,000 host-country jobs. OPIC projects have also generated $72 billion in U.S. exports and supported more than 273,000 American jobs.